The Ultimate Faucet Repair Quiz

There are few things as annoying as the monotonous drip of water from a faucet, especially in the quiet of the night when you are trying to fall asleep. Let's see what you can do about it. Take this quiz and check what your options are.

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Question 1 of 20

What is a faucet?

measures the flow of water

dispenses water

It is a device that controls the flow of water.

filters the water

Question 2 of 20

What happens when the faucet is closed?

A washer presses tightly on the faucet seat, blocking the water.

A watertight seal prevents the water from coming through the pipe.

A vacuum is caused preventing water flow.

A small pump draws the water away form the faucet.

Question 3 of 20

If you have a leaking faucet, what is the first thing to do?

Change the faucet.

Clean the aerator.

Check the washer and faucet seat assembly.

After turning off the main water supply, check the washer-faucet seat assembly, making sure it is watertight. Maybe you just need to replace the washer or the faucet seat.

Question 4 of 20

Before beginning a repair or replacement of a faucet what precaution should you take?

Touch a metal pipe to prevent static electricity.

Turn off the main water supply.

Turn off the main water supply, otherwise things could get a little wet.

Place a bucket under the faucet if possible.

Question 5 of 20

If, after opening the faucet, you see the washer is cracked, what is the best course of action?

Use sealing compound for an approximate fit.

Any similar sized washer should do the job.

An exact replacement needs to be used for an exact fit.

A damaged washer must be replaced by an identical one. A similar washer may not fit exactly and so will not stop the leak.

Question 6 of 20

Are there different washers for hot and cold faucets?

Yes, hot washers should be installed in hot faucets and cold ones in cold faucets.

There are different washers for hot and cold. Cold washers will expand when heated, thereby reducing the flow of water.

The cold washer serves for both as long as it is identical to the old one.

It does not matter if you raise the faucet seat a little.

Question 7 of 20

You replaced the washer but the leak continues. What now?

That's it -- throw out the old faucet.

Check the valve seat. Maybe you can repair or replace it.

Before throwing away the faucet and installing a new one, have a look at the valve seat. You may be able to repair it or replace just this part.

A thick coat of special compound on the valve seat will stop the leak.

Question 8 of 20

You now see that the valve seat is worn. What can you do now to solve the problem?

A worn valve seat means you need to replace the faucet.

Epoxy compound can be shaped to fit the washer.

You can replace the valve seat.

If you want to avoid replacing the whole faucet, you can try to replace the valve seat.

Question 9 of 20

What could have caused the damage to the valve seat?

The metal stem ground against the valve seat.

Chemicals in the water eroded the metal.

Both answers are correct.

Chemicals in the water could have eroded the metal, or a faulty washer could have allowed the metal stem to grind against the valve seat and wear it down.

Question 10 of 20

Can a grinding tool be used to repair a valve seat?

No, the metal is too hard.

Yes, if you are careful not to damage the soft metal.

An inexpensive valve seat grinder, if used carefully, may be able to repair the valve seat.

Grinders are too expensive to make it worthwhile.

Question 11 of 20

When does a faucet leak usually occur?

whenever the seal is faulty

A faucet can drip when it is "closed" but has a leaky seal.

when the faucet is turned off

when the water pressure increases

Question 12 of 20

What is faucet packing made of?

soft wire or tiny ball-bearings

rubber O-rings or soft wire

The faucet packing is usually made of rubber O-rings or soft wire wrapped around the stem.

plastic chips or rubber O-rings

Question 13 of 20

What does the O-ring do?

increases water pressure

ensures easy movement of the spout

prevents water from leaking

It prevents water from leaking out around the spout.

Question 14 of 20

Are washers essential to the working of a faucet?

Metal disks with holes can replace washers.

One type of faucet has two metal disks with holes that allow water to flow when they are aligned.

Every faucet needs at least one washer.

In the absence of washers the faucet needs to be installed horizontally.

Question 15 of 20

What is the most difficult part of repairing a single-lever faucet?

removing the assembly sleeve

finding the correct repair kit

Because of the numerous types of single-lever faucets, the most difficult part can be tracing the supplier that carries the specific repair kit.

putting together the valve assembly

Question 16 of 20

Is there a simple temporary remedy to avoid the annoyance of a dripping faucet?

Place a container of Jell-O in the sink.

Turn off the main water supply

Attach a length of string around the nozzle to guide the drops into the sink.

A length of string attached to the nozzle will guide the drops silently into the sink.

Question 17 of 20

How can you avoid damaging a chrome-plated fixture when using a metal wrench?

use an old wrench

insulation tape wound around the fixture

Wrapping a few layers of plastic insulation tape around the fixture will prevent damage by the wrench.

application of petroleum jelly to the teeth of the wrench

Question 18 of 20

In a new home, what is one of the possible causes of noisy faucets?

The aerators are not correctly aligned

Pipes may be too small.

You may have pipes that are too small to allow adequate water flow.

Not enough sediment has built up to dampen noises.

Question 19 of 20

Can a washer cause a faucet to be noisy?

Yes, if it is the wrong size or not properly secured.

A wrong sized or insecurely fastened washer can cause noise.

Faucet noise is always connected to problems with the pipes.

Yes, but only if the water pressure drops.

Question 20 of 20

Why would you need a special basin wrench to work under a sink?

The area is damp.

It is quieter.

There is not enough access for a regular wrench.

You will need a basin wrench if there is very little room under the sink.